Why should my child take music lessons?
- Music is a discipline, both mental and physical
- Music is emotional and intellectual
- Intuitive and learned
- Innate and acquired
- Music is like a science, mathematical and quantifiable.
- Music is many things but it is most importantly uplifting and empowering
- One of music’s most transformative qualities for our students is the immense infusion of confidence that students experience when they realise the extent of their talent through hard work
Foundation Phase Music
Boys beginning their musical journey in the Foundation Phase receive an hour of music a week in two half-hour sessions.
In grades 2 and 3, half of that time is devoted to reading music and playing the recorder.
Grade 3 Boys have the option of starting Piano, Violin, Trumpet, Saxophone or Ukulele in individual or group lessons. We do make exceptions for younger boys wanting to start Piano or Ukulele in Grades 1 and 2, but the lessons need to occur before or after normal class hours.
Intersen Phase Music
By Grade 4, all of our Wynberg Boys have learned to read music while playing tuned bells, boom whackers and the recorder. At this stage, boys are invited to take up more complex wind instruments, piano, drums, violin or guitar.
Presently, between a third and half of the boys at the school take lessons on an instrument or sing in our choirs.
Our emphasis in the Music programme is to enhance our Boys’ sense of belonging and social integration within the ensemble context. Our Choirs, Reading Band, String Ensemble, Jazz band, Drumline and Concert Band function as vectors of self-discovery, enrichment and social-musical cohesion. For some, discovering their musical talents is a powerful validation of who they are, for others it is simply one of a list of things they are good at. Regardless, our ensembles help our boys establish new relationships and connections. In so doing we strive to break down barriers and remove isolation with connection and the validation of expression.
Every term sees a number of highly visible musical engagements planned which allow the boys to experience the exhilaration of live performance. Our most elaborate performance of the year is called the Arnold Lorie concert.
WBJS has a long musical history dating back to our former Principal Arnold Lorie who established a burgeoning music program in the 1940’s.
Tours to Grey in Gqeberha every year necessarily entail joint performances by both schools’ bands. Moments like these help focus the boys on performing at the highest possible standard as well as allowing the boys to appreciate that they are part of a larger community of young students learning to express themselves through the various channels made available to them by their respective schools.
Reading Bands will be starting this year and will take place at 07h00 on Tuesday and Thursdays.
The Concert Band rehearses Monday – Thursday at 06h45.
Music Theory classes for Grades 6 and 7 at 07h00 on a Friday (instrumental students).
Applications
Teachers:
Gene Kierman
Concert band, Jazz Band, French horn, Drums, guitar, Music software
Jessica van der Merwe
Concert band, Jazz band and Saxophone, Ukulele, Music software
Jill Scheepers
Choirs, Voice and Piano
Derek Feel
Flute